I'm sure I will regret bragging, but he is doing so wonderful this week. Sunday I walked him to mom's house for a visit. He walked in a near perfect 'heal' all the way there and back. Once we were there he did his duty and thoroughly investigated the new surroundings, the laid down and patiently waited as we visited.

Monday I had him out walking in the yard late in the afternoon. Our neighbor was sitting on their swing, just a few steps from our property line. I waved and spoke, then asked if I could walk Duke over (since he no longer barks or lunges at the neighbor). We walked over and I kept Duke close to me until he was invited by the neighbor to come closer and say hello. We visited for a few minutes and said goodbye. Didn't want to overstay our welcome!

And today, he had to go to the vet to have a growth on his leg looked at. He was perfect in the waiting room. We took him into the exam room and the tech came in and asked if I would mind if their vet student looked at him. She knows me well, so I told her, it was ok with me, if they were up to the challenge since he isn't real friendly when they are trying to examine him. She came back shortly with the student. She was able to muzzle him with much head shaking. She then sat in the floor and held him with a death grip while the student examined him. Duke moaned and groaned. They took the muzzle off and he was all happy and had to greet them again like he had never seen them and nothing had happened. They went out to consult with Dr F.

A few minutes later Dr F and the student came back into the room. Dr F took the leash from me, I thought he was going to take Duke to the back. But, no, he talked to him, petted him and walked him around the room, talked to me and very casually started touching him. In just a minute, he had Duke standing still, without a muzzle and examining the growth. I was in awe. I'm thinking he was teaching the student how to handle a problem dog.

Dr F complemented me on how far Duke has come since his first visit. I'm very proud of him this week. We are continuing to make progress.

Oh, and the growth is nothing to worry about. Likely a cyst, does not need a biopsy. And he's down 4 pounds in 8 days being on Trouble's diet.

I think that's awesome that the vet was able to do that!! However, I need to comment on this:

She came back shortly with the student. She was able to muzzle him with much head shaking. She then sat in the floor and held him with a death grip while the student examined him. Duke moaned and groaned.

It's very hard to do when you're in the moment, but in the future, I would stop them from doing this. He bounced back quickly, but there is also a chance that he would not. You also run the risk of him being aggressive on sight of a muzzle if he's not trained to take one, and it doesn't sound like he is.

I understand why students need to learn, but tossing a dog in a muzzle and then holding him in a death grip is not good for the dog or the student. I'm so happy to hear that he bounced back immediately from that, but ugh... the risks...

Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.

Michelle, I had purchased a muzzle so I could work with him, but it was the wrong size and I returned it. That is one of the things at the top of my to do list now. Get the muzzle and be able to put it on calmly and not have it be a threat - for those just in case moments.

Way to go Shanna. That is such good news and shows what a great job ya'll are doing with Duke. Patience is the key and he is doing so well. I still notice changes in Kinzyl everyday and it has been four years.

So happy for you. Give that beautiful handsome boy a lot of butt scratches from me.

hugapitbull wrote:Michelle, I had purchased a muzzle so I could work with him, but it was the wrong size and I returned it. That is one of the things at the top of my to do list now. Get the muzzle and be able to put it on calmly and not have it be a threat - for those just in case moments.

Great!

When you get your new one, I'd bring it with you, that way it's sized correctly and it's the one he's familiar with. Riggs has gotten them off, and it has caused even more trouble now because the first thing he does is try to pull it off.

Michelle

Inside me is a thin woman trying to get out. I usually shut the bitch up with a martini.

Ok, one question for you guys? What is your preference for muzzle and why? The first one I purchased (and returned) was mesh. I realize that probably isn't the most sturdy. My thought at the time was just to use it to get him used to putting it on and having something on his face. Now I'm thinking I might as well go with sturdy in case I have the occasion to need to rely on it. Thoughts?

I got Inara an iron basket muzzle: http://www.leatherbrothers.com/muzzles/M168C.htm . We tried on several different basket muzzle types and the Jafco plastic one that has holes (it's clear which is kinda cool) but this muzzle was the one that fit her best. The others were either too narrow through the jowls area or she was an in-between size. I like this one because it's very lightweight and doesn't seem to bother Inara much. Probably helps that every time she sees it she gets Squeeze Cheese.

"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"